THE ARTS

 

 

Last January 18, 2022,  I attended a webinar focused on the “ in-depth look at the latest models for hosting activities, community engagement, operations, and sustainability” hosted by S.E.A, a Singapore-based art platform. According to the press release it sent to Pressenza, its focus is a showcase of contemporary art from Southeast Asia. It aims to bring together a curated selection of some of the finest galleries to foster a deeper appreciation of contemporary art and artists in the region. A meeting point for artistic vision and vigor, S.E.A. Focus provides a platform to propel diverse cultural exchanges which celebrate, promote and provoke dialogue about Southeast Asian art. S.E.A. Focus is an initiative led by STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery, supported by the National Arts Council, Singapore.

The webinar was an inspiring one to emerging artists, like me, who aspire to have their own spaces to focus more on the creative industry, social issues and community engagement where they live. The webinar was moderated by H.G. Masters, Deputy Editor & Deputy Publisher ArtAsiaPacific and the panel speakers presented “an array of different models adapted for the contexts in which they live and work”.

The webinar rationale stated that artists and curators are increasingly inspired to create their own micro organizations to host exhibitions, artist projects, and other social or community events. But how does one start an art space? What does it take to maintain activities and achieve community engagement and sustainability?

The above-mentioned questions were answered accordingly with rich experiences, and prospects in future optimism by panelists,  Eunice Tsang, Curator and Manager, Present Projects, Hong Kong,  Wang Ruobing, Co-founder, Comma Space, Singapore and Leslie de Chavez, Co-founder, Project Space Pilipinas, Lucban, the Philippines.

I really do appreciate the organizers hosting the webinar and a lot has been taken from it. Such experience-sharing panels are important to know how emerging artists are dealing with different projects in their art spaces in Asia. I would like readers to give attention to the press release to have a big picture of what’ the S.E.A  2022 program was all about and its artistic endeavors.

SINGAPORE, 11 January 2022 — S.E.A. Focus 2022, Southeast Asia’s contemporary art platform, explores exciting new frontiers in its fourth edition from 15 January to 23 January 2022.

As the world continues to deal with the ongoing pandemic, S.E.A. Focus 2022 is one of a handful of art fairs globally that is pushing ahead. Within its distinctive scaffolding-clad space at Tanjong Pagar Distripark that evokes this year’s theme, chance…constellations, is a thoughtfully curated exhibition. Featuring over 150 artworks from 50 artists and 24 galleries from the region, S.E.A. Focus 2022 — the anchor event of Singapore Art Week 2022 — is poised to become a springboard for progressive insights into the future of Southeast Asian contemporary art.

Taking art beyond the confines of the gallery, S.E.A. Focus 2022’s programming includes its first showcase of NFTs (non-fungible tokens), engaging and insightful talks by industry leaders, and a dynamic film and video program at its first popup screening room, Projector X — offering tantalizing glimpses into what lies ahead for the region’s creative mindscape.

“This year’s S.E.A. Focus programming takes a bold step into the future while still very much grounded in the ever-changing present,” says Emi Eu, project director of S.E.A. Focus and executive director of STPI. “As Southeast Asia’s premier contemporary art platform, we are eager to see what lies ahead in a world where change is the only constant.”

FRINGE FILM PROGRAMME AT PROJECTOR X

Making its debut as Official Fringe Partner is Projector X at Riverside Point, a pop-up screening room by The Projector. The space will host the screening of 25 compelling Southeast Asian artist-made short films, animations and video works from 19 January to 21 January.

Works from leading and cutting-edge artists such as Robert Zhao Renhui (Singapore/Mizuma Gallery), Tromarama (Indonesia/ROH Projects) and James Clar (The Philippines/Silverlens) offer provocative insights and commentary into the socio-political landscape and history of the region.

SEAspotlight TALKS: PIVOT TO THE FUTURE

A key highlight for S.E.A. Focus every year, SEAspotlight Talks is a specially curated series of panel discussions featuring industry experts. In partnership with Official Media Partner ArtAsiaPacific (AAP) and themed “Pivot to the Future”, six talks from 11 January to 20 January will explore a post-pandemic contemporary art world.

The session “Pivot to the Future: Collaboration versus Consolidation” (8 pm, 11 January, via Zoom) sees gallerists discussing how the global art market will change in a post-Covid world, while the growing importance of millennial art collectors comes under the spotlight in “Age of Influencers” (8 pm, 12 January, via Zoom). And in “Selling Art in a Virtual World” (8pm, 19 January, via Zoom), considerations when purchasing art in digital formats are but a starting point into the progressive realm of virtual art. For more information, visit SEAspotlight online.

TEZOS’ SHOWCASE OF NFTs FROM REGIONAL DIGITAL ARTISTS

S.E.A. Focus 2022 will also feature Tezos, an energy-efficient blockchain widely adopted by NFT artists and collectors worldwide. TZ APAC, the leading adoption entity for the Tezos blockchain in Asia and CAWA (Crypto Art Week Asia), the largest crypto art festival in Asia, will present an Asia-centric NFT showcase titled “Tezos NFTs: The New North Star”. This will be the first NFT exhibition displayed by a public blockchain entity at S.E.A Focus.

“NFTs: The New North Star” will feature 15 digital artists from Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, India, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea who have minted their art on the Tezos blockchain. They include Indonesian Tezos comic artist, Arya Mularama; Brunei-based generative artist, Yazid; and Singapore-based abstract artist, warrragwag.

Similar to its NFT showcase at Art Basel Miami Beach last December, TZ APAC will also be hosting a live minting showcase which will allow viewers and visitors to experience first-hand the process of minting an NFT — enabling them to leave S.E.A. Focus 2022 with their own one-of-a-kind generative artwork.

“We are immensely proud to be collaborating with S.E.A. Focus and CAWA to showcase some of Asia’s trailblazers in the world of blockchain art,” says David Tng, Head of Growth, Tezos / APAC. “Inspired by S.E.A. Focus 2022’s theme chance…constellations, this Tezos-powered NFT art exhibition will showcase works by talented artists with distinct signature styles that do not seem, at first glance, to be bound by a common thread. On closer inspection, one will discover that they are united through a common technology and geographical region that is constantly evolving and innovating.”

“We aim to shine a spotlight on just a fraction of the incredible artistic talent we are seeing emerge across Asia and in the blockchain space,” adds George Galanakis, founder, CAWA. “These artists have gained prominence in a notoriously competitive space — a testament not only to their individual abilities but also the growing recognition of the talent in this region.”

For further information please visit www.seafocus.sg

All photo credits: S.E.A